How can we formally represent time in databases? This paper introduces the concept of a historical database as a tool for modeling the dynamic nature of real-world entities. The study draws an analogy to first-order logic in relational databases, presenting intensional logic as a formalism for understanding temporal semantics in historical databases. The various components of the relational model, extended to include historical relations, are discussed in terms of the model theory for the logic ILs, a variation of Richard Montague's IL. The study introduces and contrasts the modal concepts of intensional and extensional data constraints and queries, concluding with a discussion of the potential application of these ideas to natural language database querying. This work offers a theoretical framework for incorporating time into database systems, enabling more accurate and comprehensive data management.
Published in ACM Transactions on Database Systems, this paper on formal semantics for time in databases aligns with the journal's focus on database theory and design. The use of intensional logic and the exploration of temporal semantics are directly relevant to the journal's readership. The research contributes to the ongoing development of more sophisticated database models that can effectively handle temporal data.